MORE CHILDREN DYING IN AFGHANISTAN IN A GROWING VIOLENCE
Children in Afghanistan are getting killed and wounded in Afghanistan's war. The figure jumped by 34 percent during 3013 while the Taliban stepped up attacks across the country. They continue to plant thousands of roadside bombs and seems to have no interest in talks to compromise. Overall civilian casualties were did rise 14 percent, reversing 2012's downward trend and making 2013 one of the deadliest years of the 12-year war for civilians. The new trend underscores mounting levels of violence in Afghanistan. Taliban insurgents have ramped up attacks, gaining ground and shake the Afghan government's confidence as international combat troops prepare to complete their withdrawal at the end of the year.
In a report from the U.N. Assistance Mission for Afghanistan it said that 2,959 civilians were killed in the war last year — including 561 children — and that an overall total of 5,656 were wounded. In the same report it also can be noted an alarming new trend for 2013 did appear. More civilians beeing harmed in fighting between the Taliban and the government forces.
2013 was the worst year where women and children, where most of the casualties caused by either stepping on or driving over roadside bombs or getting caught in fighting.
"It is the awful reality that most women and children were killed and injured in their daily lives — at home, on their way to school, working in the fields or traveling to a social event," they said.
The report blamed insurgents for 74 percent of the civilian casualties. It further says that international law prohibits indiscriminate attacks and targeted assassinations of civilians. Afghan police and army were responsible for 8 percent of the casualties and international coalition forces for 3 percent, the report said. Roadside bombs laid by pro-Taliban forces again caused most civilian casualties, accounting for 34 percent of deaths and injuries last year, while crossfire in battle accounted for 27 percent. Suicide attacks accounted for 15 percent of overall casualties, targeted attacks made up 14 percent and pro-government air raids were responsible for 2 percent.
2013 has caused the highest number of combined casualties since documenting began in 2009 after a sharp rise in violence. Not surprising the deadliest year of the war was 2011, when 3,133 civilians died as the Taliban launched a fierce pushback with roadside bombs and other attacks against the increased number of international forces who wrested back much of the territory controlled by the insurgents.
No matter what we will do, more money and gunpowder, we are not changing the problem in the country. Isn´t it time to change the strategy?
Children in Afghanistan are getting killed and wounded in Afghanistan's war. The figure jumped by 34 percent during 3013 while the Taliban stepped up attacks across the country. They continue to plant thousands of roadside bombs and seems to have no interest in talks to compromise. Overall civilian casualties were did rise 14 percent, reversing 2012's downward trend and making 2013 one of the deadliest years of the 12-year war for civilians. The new trend underscores mounting levels of violence in Afghanistan. Taliban insurgents have ramped up attacks, gaining ground and shake the Afghan government's confidence as international combat troops prepare to complete their withdrawal at the end of the year.
In a report from the U.N. Assistance Mission for Afghanistan it said that 2,959 civilians were killed in the war last year — including 561 children — and that an overall total of 5,656 were wounded. In the same report it also can be noted an alarming new trend for 2013 did appear. More civilians beeing harmed in fighting between the Taliban and the government forces.
2013 was the worst year where women and children, where most of the casualties caused by either stepping on or driving over roadside bombs or getting caught in fighting.
"It is the awful reality that most women and children were killed and injured in their daily lives — at home, on their way to school, working in the fields or traveling to a social event," they said.
The report blamed insurgents for 74 percent of the civilian casualties. It further says that international law prohibits indiscriminate attacks and targeted assassinations of civilians. Afghan police and army were responsible for 8 percent of the casualties and international coalition forces for 3 percent, the report said. Roadside bombs laid by pro-Taliban forces again caused most civilian casualties, accounting for 34 percent of deaths and injuries last year, while crossfire in battle accounted for 27 percent. Suicide attacks accounted for 15 percent of overall casualties, targeted attacks made up 14 percent and pro-government air raids were responsible for 2 percent.
2013 has caused the highest number of combined casualties since documenting began in 2009 after a sharp rise in violence. Not surprising the deadliest year of the war was 2011, when 3,133 civilians died as the Taliban launched a fierce pushback with roadside bombs and other attacks against the increased number of international forces who wrested back much of the territory controlled by the insurgents.
No matter what we will do, more money and gunpowder, we are not changing the problem in the country. Isn´t it time to change the strategy?
